The synthesis and structural characterization of furanyl-1,2,3-triazole Gold(I) and its application in synthesis of enones from propargylic esters and alcohols

abstract Furanyl-1,2,3-triazole gold(I) was designed, synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography, and was found to exhibit high catalytic activity for the synthesis of enones in good to high yields through a propargylic ester rearrangement and subsequent hydration. Notably, excellent E/Z selectivity was observed in these transformations. This catalyst was also effective in catalyzing the rearrangement of propargylic alcohols and hydration of alkynes. Compared to triazole acetyl gold(III) and other gold complexes, the furanyl-1,2,3-triazole gold(I) is able to promote these transformations smoothly at a low temperature with the E isomer of enones as the only product.